Tibor Pleiss, quote machine

Most of us would assume that if you play or want to play basketball professionally, specifically in the NBA, you’d know something about it. That’s not the case for recent Thunder draft pick Tibor Pleiss, who pleads ignorance when talking about the NBA. Via Tom Ziller of Fanhouse:

For the NBA Draft day in New York, I was not nervous at all, and this because of a simple reason: I did not know anyone of all those College players; also this guy called Wall, I have never heard of him before. The only one I spoke with a bit was Kevin Seraphin from France. I was only nervous because of the things going on around the ceremony. Knowing that millions of people in front of their TV can watch me when I eventually fall down walking up the stairs. Additionally, it was extremely cold and I was freezing. I did not really feel well in the Madison Square Garden.

In general, I am not really interested in International or NBA Basketball. Most of the players I play against during this tournament or the World Championship, I have never heard of. For example, when we played Serbia last summer as a preparation game for the Eurobasket, it was the first time I saw Nenad Krstic play. My ignorance may sound strange to others, but it has the advantage that I go unbiased into the games and take every opponent serious.

Of course the loaded question is, does he know this guy called Durantula? Or at least, did he know before June 24th?

Mullens has better athleticism,and is stronger than Tibor.But Mullens is not ready for NBA now.So I dont think tibor can get minutes.He is young,but he is an important player in a champion team and be starter of team Germany.He should do like Scola or Marc Gasol

I think it could go both ways. It either suggests that he is not that into basketball, or it suggests that he is so consumed with his own game that he isn't interested in being a fan of or following others.

I don't have very much competitve experience in basketball, but I have a lot in both rowing and track. I knew very dedicated people at both ends of the spectrum. Some people went on message boards and news websites watching what other teams did and how better athletes (colleges in high school, olympians in college) were faring. Others couldn't care less about anything but our own team, and still worked as hard or harder than everyone else. I'm hoping Tibor is just like that.

It makes me wonder if he even cares that he is coming to play in the NBA. It seems like he could turn into a Glen Coffee (49ers running back that retired after 1 year because he just wasn't passionate about the game). Does he not watch any tape to get better? Does he not scout his opponents?